European Parliament votes to reduce usage of lightweight plastic bags

8:52 AM MDT | April 26, 2014 | Michael Ravenscroft

Members of the European Parliament (MEP) have voted in favor of halving the consumption of lightweight plastic bags by 2017, and reducing it by 80% by 2019 compared with 2010 levels. The legislation approved by MEPs during the April plenary session foresees a mandatory charging for carrier bags in the food sector and a recommendation to charge for bags in the non-food sector. Charges could be reduced for bags that are biodegradable and compostable. Lightweight bags used to wrap loose food should gradually be replaced by biodegradable and compostable bags by 2019...